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'A quite outstandingly successful re-creation of the work … it is a hugely important contribution to preserving our British musical theatre herit ...'Janis Kelly and Christopher Maltman sing the romantic leads with the right clear-eyed sentiment, and Richard Suart and Sally Burgess provide expert c ...» More

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Brigands: Friends have to part, And regrets are all in vain; Come, then, take heart We shall surely meet again! Leaves scatter! What matter? Time passes! Fill your glasses! Friendship is brief, So enjoy it while you may. Here’s to the Chief, Who is leaving us today! All daring! Naught caring! Hard swearing! Baldassare!

Beppo: Though folks there be Who never foresee That the future holds anything pleasant; Who grimly cast Their eyes on the past, And who gaze all aghast at the present! The golden rule For sage or fool, For prince and poet and peasant, Is, come what may, At work or play, To live—just live for today!

Sing hey! Sing ho! There’s no time like the present! Sing ho! Sing hey! There’s no day like today!

Brigands: Sing hey! Sing ho! There’s no time like the present! Sing ho! Sing hey! There’s no day like today!

Beppo: When man’s depressed, Not feeling his best, He’ll lament over yesterday’s sorrow, And brood, what’s more, On worries galore That the fates have in store for the morrow. Yet man has pow’r From ev’ry hour Some gleams of sunshine to borrow; So don’t delay But find a way To make the most of today!

Sing hey! Sing ho! Take no thought for the morrow! Sing ho! Sing hey! Live, just live for today!

Brigands: Sing hey! Sing ho! Take no thought for the morrow! Sing ho! Sing hey! Live, just live for today!

Teresa: Ah, woe is me! The Fates decree That I should now depart! They bid me go, Though well they know What sadness fills my heart! But vain are sighs and tears When in a maiden’s ears There sounds, like a knell, The echo of ‘Farewell!’

Farewell! No sadder word was ever spoken By any luckless maid! Farewell! The old familiar ties are broken, The old friendships fade! Farewell! The hours of happiness I spent! Farewell! The home where long I dwelt content! The shady mountain glade Where once my footsteps strayed! The cottage where I stayed! Farewell! Farewell!

Beppo: In the chequered career Of a bold buccaneer There is nothing so dear as the duty Of reviewing the spoil, The results of his toil, And dividing his ill-gotten booty. When you open your bag And you lay out the swag, ’Tis permitted to brag, and no wonder! For the moment sublime In the annals of crime Is the time when you share out the plunder!

Brigands: Yes, we stoutly declare That there’s naught to compare With the time when you share out the plunder!

Pietro: Here’s a fat leather purse— How the fellow did curse When I told him to ‘Stand and deliver!’ Yes, that partly explains Why I blew out his brains, And then threw his remains in the river!

Tonio: See this gunmetal watch! Well, it’s owner was Scotch. And it’s odd how her loss seemed to rankle! For she fought such a lot, That before she was shot She had bitten me thrice in the ankle!

Brigands: Oh, it’s rather a shock When you’re pinching a clock To be bitten three times in the ankle. Tonio What about you, chief? I’ll bet you’ve a story to tell?

Baldassare: I abstracted this brooch From a girl on a coach, And her look of reproach quite upset me! She was really so sweet I could feel my heart beat, I’d have knelt at her feet—if she’d let me! When this jewel she took From a bosom that shook Though surprised you may look when you learn it, I … I blushed and grew hot, Fell in love on the spot. And completely forgot to return it!

Brigands: It’s worth a good lot, And remorse is such rot! It’s as well you forgot to return it!

Beppo: Though curs may quail And cowards turn tail At a moment of failure and sorrow, Our hearts are true, And courage anew, Baldassare, from you we can borrow! For hand in hand We can withstand What foes have planned for the morrow, And find a way. Without delay To make the most of today!

Citizens: We’re gathered here From far and near To greet our new dictator! Though no one’s met Our governor yet We hope to see him later. And when today He comes this way. He’ll find us here to greet him; Both high and low We’ll join to show Both high and low We’ll join to show How glad we are to meet him!

We hope the man selected Is rich and well connected, A simple sort Who’s fond of sport And not the least affected! We’ve made all preparation To give him an ovation We long to see This unknown he, For all agree That he will be The idol of the nation!

Gianetta: Deck every street with bunting and banners! Dress yourselves neatly, brush up your manners! Trouble we’ll take to act with discretion, Hoping to make a good impression; And in quite the choicest phrases We delight to sound his praises! Yes, indeed, we’ll welcome him gladly, For we need a new governor badly!

They all dance.

Citizens: We’re gathered here From far and near…

General Malona enters with his attendant, Crumpet.

General: For many a year l’ve ruled the land, But not with much success! The public all despise me, and I’m laughed at by the press!

Citizens: Yes!

General: I leave today in deep disgrace, My office I vacate, And my successor takes his place As governor of the state!

Citizens: Hurrah! Hooray! He comes today As governor of the state!

General: To capture Baldassare’s band Was my especial charge, But though all sorts of plots I planned, That scoundrel’s still at large!

Citizens: Yes!

General: For while I swore no more he’d rob, The public wouldn’t wait, And that was how I lost my job As governor of the state!

Citizens: That’s why, no doubt, They kicked him out As governor of the state!

Teresa: Poor captive—so you say! I might be rich and free, If I would but betray The friends who trust in me! Vain is the web your cunning weaves; What care I for rewards, reprieves, For bribe or threat? Ah! don’t forget: There’s honour among thieves!

Whate’er befall I still recall That sunlit mountainside, Where hearts are true, And skies are blue, And love’s the only guide! If faithful to my trust I stay No fate can fill me with dismay; Love holds the key To set me free, And love will find a way!

The punishments you plan No fears within me raise; Take, break me, if you can, My word unbroken stays! ’Tis but the coward who deceives The friend that in his faith believes, Do what you will, I tell you still: There’s honour among thieves!

Citizens: Save us from Baldassare! The king of crime. Save us from Baldassare! You’re just in time. Save us from Baldassare And all his gang! Save us, save us! Save us! Save us from Baldassare! Long may he hang!

Baldassare: Well, sir, without conceit I can say there is no one more able to save you from Baldassare than I am.

Citizens: Hurrah!

Baldassare: I tell you with all the sincerity I possess, I am prepared, if necessary, to give up my life for Baldassare.

Citizens: Bravo!

Baldassare: But leave that scoundrel to my friends here; they are even more anxious about him than you are.

Tonio: I shall burst a blood vessel in a minute!

Mayor: Your Excellency has our complete confidence.

Citizens: He’ll know the reason why. Hurrah! Hurrah! Then we’ll give three cheers For the Governor! Our Governor! May he live for years! Our Governor! Lord Governor! We proudly stand, Hurrah! On either hand, To greet the Governor, our Governor Who comes to rule the land! Then it’s hail! All hail! Great Governor, Lord Governor! May no foes assail Our Governor! Lord Governor! Oh welcome date! Hurrah! Oh kindly fate! We greet so loyally, right royally. The Governor of the State!

Tonio: I’m a model of discretion, And I’m quick to take a hint. It’s a very useful faculty, I find. From a fellow-man’s expression I can tell in half a squint, Just exactly what is passing in his mind. Once I travelled on commission For some life insurance firms, And I called upon a friend of mine one day And I gave a disquisition On the value of our terms, And I pressed him to insure without delay! I showed him how t’would benefit his heirs, if not himself. He merely took a heavy life-preserver off the shelf. He didn’t say he wouldn’t, and he didn’t say he would, He didn’t have to say a single word— I understood.

As a youth of two-and-twenty I’d a little love affair With a maiden who was all a girl should be. I’d no money; she had plenty; We’d have made a perfect pair, And I told her so one evening after tea. Yes, I asked her very nicely If she’d deign to be my bride, And she heard me out with patience to the end. I can’t recollect precisely What it was that she replied, But I know it had a noncommittal trend! She didn’t say exactly that she wouldn’t be my wife. She spoke of my appearance, of my morals and past life. She didn’t say she wouldn’t, and she didn’t say she would, But when she took the muzzle off the dog— I understood.

I’m extremely fond of racing Of the free-and-easy sort, And there’s nothing I don’t know about a horse. You may often see me gracing Little meetings where there’s sport, Where I do a bit of betting on the course. On the day that ‘How’s Your Father’ Won the Monte Carlo Cup I had backed the mare at twenty-five to one! Was I pale and nervous? Rather! Till they put the ‘All Right’ up, Then I started for the bookie with a run! He didn’t in so many words repudiate the bet, But he seemed to be suggesting that we’d never even met! He didn’t say he wouldn’t pay, he didn’t say he would, But when he asked the clerk to hold his coat— I understood.

I’ve a pal who’s well provided With the necessary cash; He in fact is very opulent indeed, And last summer I decided That I’d like to have a dash At relieving him of what he didn’t need! I was absolutely stony So I telephoned my friend, And I asked him—though I felt a trifle shy— If he’d lend me, say, a pony [i.e. £25] Just to cover the weekend. Then I anxiously awaited his reply! He didn’t quite refuse me, or pretend he hadn’t heard. He simply took his own receiver off without a word! He didn’t say he wouldn’t lend, he didn’t say he would, But when Exchange kept shouting ‘Line’s engaged’— I understood.

Teresa: So that’s it? Very well, my friend, Too long I’ve stood your slights, your scorning! I’ve borne enough. This is the end! Listen to me, and don’t pretend I didn’t give you warning! There’s only one thing I’ve to say: You will not love, then you shall fear me! Either you come with me today Or Baldassare I’II betray! That’s plain enough. D’you hear me?

Beppo: Teresa! What on earth!

Tonio: I say!

Teresa: Don’t interfere. Your choice?

Baldassare: I stay! As for the rest, it’s your affair!

Teresa: Take care! You want to know where Baldassare is?

Crowd: Oh tell us, pray!

Teresa: Perhaps he’s not so very far away! And to His Excellency here His hiding-place I’ll show, If he will be my cavalier, And come with me.

Baldassare: No! No!

Teresa: You must!

Baldassare: I cannot go!

Teresa: Think twice ’ere you refuse! Do you prefer your liberty to lose?

Baldassare: I will not stir!

Teresa: Then, for the last time, choose ’Twixt me and … her!

Beppo: Teresa, come what may I trust you still, Your chief you’ll not betray?

Teresa: I will!

Beppo: Are you a traitor who deceives The friend who in your faith believes? Surely not! Have you forgot: There’s honour among thieves.

Baldassare: One moment, please! ’Ere you obtain This priceless information, Pray, what will the informer gain By way of compensation? You’ll own her news is worth a bit … You ought to pay for it!

General: A thousand francs!

Baldassare: Too little—much!

General: (counting out notes from his pocket-book) Ten thousand should be plenty!

Baldassare: No! More!

Teresa: Your money I’ll not touch!

General: Good! Then I’ll make it twenty! Now, tell us what we want to know. And then you’re free to go!

Crowd: Where oh where does Baldassare Hide like a bear Safe in his lair? Soon we’ll snare this Baldassare! Devil-may-care Brigand, beware!

Angela: (to Teresa) Find and bind him, I implore you!

General: Then to freedom I’ll restore you!

Teresa: Baldassare stands before you!

Crowd: Where?

Teresa: There!

Crowd: Save us from Baldassare And all his gang!

Angela: So you are Baldassare—You?

Baldassare: You tell me so! It must be true!

Angela: Robber and cheat! Your life a lie! Have you no word to say?

Baldassare: Only goodbye!(He holds out his hand which she refuses to take) I see! You can’t forgive today!

General: Arrest that man!(Pointing to brigands) And those as well!

Baldassare: Ah! No! They’re innocent, I swear. So let them go.

General: (To brigands) Tomorrow morning, at low tide, Out to the Devil’s Isle you’ll journey, There to be well and truly tried And sentenced by the Lord Attorney!

Crowd: Sentenced by the Lord Attorney!

General: ’Tis there, beside the silver sea, That guilt receives just retribution! He points to Teresa This young woman here shall be Chief witness for the prosecution!

Crowd: Witness for the prosecution! Come, give three cheers For the Governor, our Governor! May he live for years, Our Governor, Lord Governor! Oh, welcome date, hurrah! Oh, kindly fate! We greet so loyally, Right royally, The governor of the state.

Baldassare: I understand. Such things, you know, must be! Don’t bother about me! We’ve had some fun together in the past! One can’t expect those happy times to last. No need for you to be upset. There, there! Cheer up! Don’t fret!

Teresa: Oh, Baldassare! Oh, Baldassare! … by any luckless maid! Farewell. The old familiar ties are broken, The old friendships fade! Farewell! Farewell!

Harry Graham (1874-1936)

Act 3 No 1. Introduction and Chorus: When each day the tides are ebbing and flowing (Fisherfolk)

Fisherfolk: When each day the tides are ebbing and flowing, O’er the bay you’ll find us fishermen rowing! Hour by hour we’re toiling, Neptune’s bow’r despoiling! Here and there Each net and snare We sew, Cruising to and fro With our lines in tow.

While on shore with hearts impatiently yearning, We implore the Fates to speed their returning: Welcomes planning All together, Closely scanning Wind and weather. Ev’ry cloud to us appears a foe!

When our labours end Of heaving and hauling, Then our way we wend When night time is falling. Home across the waters, Where our wives and daughters Wait, joyous greetings to bestow.

Fisherfolk: When each day the tides are ebbing and flowing, O’er the bay you’ll find us fishermen rowing! Hour by hour we’re toiling, Neptune’s bow’r despoiling! Here and there each net and snare we sew, Cruising to and fro With our lines in tow.

While on shore with hearts impatiently yearning, We implore the fates to speed their returning. Welcomes planning All together, Closely scanning Wind and weather, Every cloud to us appears a foe!

Teresa: Baldassare, take that boat quickly—and go.

Baldassare: And what becomes of you, Teresa?

Teresa: Me? I’m going back to where I was happiest. I’m going back to the mountains—they understand me. Goodbye Baldassare, and I hope you will always be happy.

Baldassare: That entirely depends on you.

Teresa: How can I matter?

Baldassare: You’re the only thing in the world that does. Since I’ve been here a prisoner, I only remembered those days we spent together in the mountains. I realized in my loneliness those were the happiest days of my life, that they and you were all that matters to me.